SOUTHERN AFRICA

THE SOUTHERN CROSS ADVENTURE - 22 DAYS

An exciting itinerary for the adventurous traveller. This itinerary includes some of the major highlights of Southern Africa eg: The Fish River Canyon, dunes in the Namib Desert, the Okavango area of the Moremi Reserve, the Chobe River in Botswana and the Victoria Falls.  

To make a booking contact us on southern-cross@safari-africa.co.uk

or call us on ++ 44 (0) 1995 679 776

 

DAY 1: JOHANNESBURG - NORTHERN CAPE

We depart at 06h30 from the Randburg Towers, in Randburg, north of Johannesburg and travel via Kuruman to install our camp near Vanzylsrus.

DAY 2/3: KGALAGADI TRANS FRONTIER PARK

We make an early start for the drive to the Kgalagadi Trans Frontier Park, one of the most fascinating wilderness areas in Southern Africa. Travelling through the park we may encounter oryx, springbok, hartebeest, wildebeest and Kalahari lion. we follow the course of the Auob River to which the game is attracted.

DAY 4/5: FISH RIVER CANYON

The Canyon is one of the most staggering sights in Africa (second in size to the Grand Canyon of America). We set up camp near the Canyon and explore the area in the late afternoon and early morning when the colours and shadows of the Canyon are at its best.

 

DAY 6/7: SESRIEM (NAMIB DESERT)

Our journey takes us through the Namib Desert, a great wilderness, a vast, solitary place, harsh and primeval, the oldest desert on earth. The gigantic 275m high red and grey dunes are the highest in the world. The Namib Desert is extraordinary with over 200 species of beetles, scorpions, spiders, gecko, chameleons, crickets, wasps, lizards, moles, side-winder snakes, snake-eating eagles and jackals. Most of the creatures and plants depend on the mist from the Atlantic for survival.

 

DAY 8: THE RARE WELWITSCHIAS - MOON VALLEY - NAMIB DESERT

The Welwitschia is an unusual prehistoric plant which is a dwarf tree flourishing on the moisture of the Atlantic Coast. Its lifespan is estimated at more than 1000 years. Our camp under the bright stars of the southern hemisphere will create a lasting impression.

DAY 9: SWAKOPMUND/WALVIS BAY

Swakopmund, with its German colonial atmosphere, is the principal resort of Namibia. This charming town has many buildings and houses dating back to the German colonial era. (Dinner and lunch are excluded).

DAY 10: WINDHOEK

Windhoek, with its novel scenery of German architecture, activities and atmosphere is a city which can be visited throughout the year. Here we have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs and curios.

DAY 11: NORTHERN KALAHARI

We travel over the difficult terrain of Kalahari Sand. The evening is spent enjoying the solitude and the remoteness of our bush camp.

DAY 12: MAUN - BOTSWANA

We arrive at Maun the "gateway" to the Okavango Delta and Moremi Resurve. Here we prepare for the excursion into the Moremi Wildlife Reserve and organise food supplies. An optional aerial flight over the Okavango Delta is possible in the late afternoon (payable locally).

DAY 13/14: OKAVANGO AREA MOREMI WILDLIFE RESERVE

We drive via South Gate to a camp in the Moremi Wildlife Reserve which is situated in the north eastern corner of the Okavango delta. We explore the area during early morning and late afternoon game drives.

DAY 15: MAUN

We return to our remote camp near Maun in the late afternoon. We relax around the camp fire in the evening, under the bright stars of the Southern hemisphere.

DAY 16: MAKGADIKGADI PANS - BOTSWANA

We head east in the direction of the Makgadikgadi Pans. These pans are dry for most of the year, except during the rainy season.

DAY 17: CHOBE RIVER - BOTSWANA

Chobe is famous for its beautiful scenery and magnificent sunsets. In the evening we may see the herds of elephant drinking at the river during our afternoon cruise.

 

DAY 18/19: VICTORIA FALLS/ LIVINGSTONE

We travel across the border to the Victoria Falls - without doubt one of the greatest and spectacular sights, where the waters of the mighty Zambezi River tumble down in continuous thunder. The days are spent at leisure allowing time for the various optional excursions:- a flight over the Falls, a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, white water rafting on the Zambezi, bungi jumping and riverboarding

DAY 20: BULAWAYO - ZIMBABWE

The city is the administrative centre of Matabeleland, the northern home of the Ndebele people. The afternoon is spent at leisure allowing time to undertake an optional visit to Matobos which lies at 1356m above sea level on a plateau summit of the central Zimbabwe ridge. (Excursion at own expense.)

DAY 21: TSHIPISE - NORTHERN TRANSVAAL

The name Tshipise is a Venda word meaning "hot spring". The hot spring (650C) flows into 3 separate swimming pools surrounded by a fine natural parkland of acacia and baobab trees.

DAY 22: JOHANNESBURG

We return at +-16h00 to the Randburg Towers, in Randburg, Johannesburg.

The itinerary will depend on local conditions and will sometimes run in reserves.

GRADING: Full Participation Safari.

Accommodation: 21 Nights camping.

Meals: All meals when camping, except 1 dinner in Victoria Falls/ Livingstone. Breakfast only in Swakopmund.

Group Size: 10-20 participants.

Transfers: Private transfers are available in Johannesburg (+-USD15 p/p) on request.

Important: Recommended age limit is 45 years.

 

PRICE INCLUDES:

· 21 nights camping with all meals, except in dinner Victoria Falls/Livingstone and lunches and dinner at Swakopmund.

PRICE EXCLUDES:

· Flights to, from and within Africa.

· Lunches and dinners in Swakopmund and Vic Falls, drinks, visas, airport tax, gratuities & personal expenses, optional excursions.

· Departure subject to a minimum of 8 passengers

· Group size 8-20 passengers.

· Local Payment is payable to the guide on the day of departure.